The RIghteous Exalt the Lord
Notes
Transcript
Today we are going to encounter 2 Righteous and devout people who served the Lord.
Simeon and Anna
Simeon
Simeon
There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.
The Word does not call him a priest, just a righteous and devout ‘man in Jerusalem’, who was looking forward to the Lord’s ‘consolation’.
Consolation means comfort. Of course he was looking forward to the Great Comforter!
He has a very special gift: the Holy Spirit was ON HIM.
You do not read this often in Scripture. That the Holy Spirit was ON someone.
Can you think of anyone that the Holy Spirit was upon? This would be someone from the old Testament, because remember, at this time the Holy Spirit has not been sent by Jesus to live within us. So this is the Holy Spirit UPON someone. Such a great blessing!
And always with a purpose!
In Ex 31:3, we read how Bazazel was filled with the Spirit to become a skilled craftsman to build the Tabernacle.
Exodus 31:3 “I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft”
In Numbers we read how the Holy Spirit was upon Moses, and upon the seventy elders that ministered with him.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon
Joshua
Gideon
Samson
David
Isaiah
Ezekiel
Amasai
Jahaziel
And all of these were given a purpose, and we read about that purpose in the Word of God!
Simeon has a purpose as well!
Part of that purpose has been revealed to us:
He would not see death until he has seen the Lord’s Messiah!
Which means part of his purpose is to PROCLAIM what he has seen, when he has seen it!
Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,
Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,
Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
For my eyes have seen your salvation.
You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel.
His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna
Anna
There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.
Real quick let’s put this together:
Married between age 14-18
Married for 7 years - 21 - 25 years old became a widow.
84 years as a widow: 105-109 years old.
She spent her life in the Temple. INside the house of the Lord.
Serving God continually,
With Fasting
With Prayer
At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
At that Very Moment!
What moment?
His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The moment Simeon was done, she starts!
She THANKS GOD
and to speak about Him - who - she is speaking about Jesus!
to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem
WHY? BEcause she has breath in her lungs and her purpose is to praise the Lord and proclaim the good news!
Oh what a Day
Oh what a Day
When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.
Just as these people were righteous and devout and praised the Lord, we should be doing the same.
The Holy Spirit was UPON Simeon, for a purpose. His purpose was praising the Lord and bearing witness to the Messiah!
Brothers and Sisters that same Holy Spirit that rested UPON him, resides WITHIN YOU!
Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord;
the humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;
let us exalt his name together.